SunLive Competition

Bangladesh is bearing down

They’ve played most of their cricket at home in the last two years – but don’t write the Bangladeshis off when they arrive in the Bay of Plenty for the first of their two T20s against the Black Caps at cricket central early January.

Bay Oval general manager Kelvin Jones says Bangladesh is one of those international sides that’s got better and better. “Gone are the days when you just walk out on to the park and expect to win.”

Bangladesh is a team more suited to white ball cricket. “And T20 is a format that can be little more of a lottery. And they’ll be bolstered by the inclusion of their talented young left arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman, who’s been out injured for six months.”

In 13 T20s he’s taken 22 wickets at a useful 13.95.

Bangladesh has been camped up in Australia prepping for their New Zealand tour. “This shows how committed they are to doing well in New Zealand,” says Kelvin.

Fortunately, three McDonalds SuperSmash games beforehand will mean the temporary infrastructure will already be in place at the Bay Oval for the T20s – the marquees, fencing, toilets and tickets booths.

Bay Oval has a capacity of just under 10,000 and Kelvin’s advice is don’t wait. “Last summer we sold-out both our One Day International and T20 matches against Sri Lanka and had to turn people away. Don’t be disappointed.”

Thanks to the generosity of New Zealand Cricket, The Weekend Sun is giving away one double pass to each of the T20s at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui – on Friday, January 6, starting 3pm and on Sunday, January 8, starting 3pm.

Just tell us the name of Bay Oval’s general manager?

Enter online at www.sunlive.co.nz under the competition section. Entries must be received by Wednesday, January 4.